Healthy Country Planning training – learning, laughing, sharing, growing

Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to all the fabulous participants who attended our Healthy Country Planning training at the beautiful Riyala (outside Darwin) at the start of July.

The five-day live-in course is an intensive introduction to the Healthy Country Planning framework, an adaptation of the Conservation Standards, specifically for use in community contexts where cultural and natural values are deeply connected.

For this training participants worked in five teams, each led by Indigenous corporations or land managers who brought their own case studies to focus on for the week. Groups applied all elements of the Healthy Country Planning cycle to these live scenarios, with leadership and guidance from the Indigenous teams who are at different stages of their own plan development, delivery or review. Applying learning processes to tangible scenarios allows participants to challenge the theory and cement the concepts. At the end of the week, each team presented their plan back to the broader group, in some very funny and moving presentations.

We had the privilege of being welcomed to country by Wulna Traditional Owners Lynette and Tarisma from Pudakul who we also visited mid-week for a generous and insightful cultural tour – a highlight of the week for many.

As one participant reported: “It was an incredible week where [participants] deepened their understanding of the process to develop holistic land management plans, explored the cultural, governance and administrative considerations involved, experienced Indigenous stories, cultures and practices, and built professional and social networks with others working in Land and Sea Country management.” We trust that was true for the rest of the cohort.

It is an intense week of sharing, learning, laughter and personal and professional growth, which is only possible with the enthusiasm, questions, openness and hard work of the participants. Thank you all for making it a memorable and rewarding week.